The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away by Marcus Sakey

What happens when you leave the war—but the war doesn’t leave you?
Newly returned from Iraq, Nick is discovering that America feels like an alien land. So when an old squadmate asks him for help, he’s happy to return to a way of life he understands. You stand by your brothers-in-arms, no matter what.
But as events spiral out of control, Nick is forced to question just how far he’s willing to go in the name of loyalty. Because sometimes you have to choose between saving your life—and saving your soul.
Named one of the Best Short Stories of 2010 by the International Thriller Writers Organization and nominated for a Macavity Award, The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away is a haunting thrill-ride about friendship, betrayal, and the wounds our warriors bear.